Article Summary

Bogalusa Heart Study - Fatty Streaks

by The DiagnosisHeart.com Physician Team
Posted: February 15, 2003

Summary:
The Bogulasa Heart Study investigated blood cholesterol levels in a population of children in Bogalusa, Louisiana over a 15 year period. Autopsy studies of individuals who died accidentally during this study period attempted to determine whether there was a relationship between blood cholesterol levels and tissue cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries and aortas. These deposits are also called fatty streaks, which are precursors of arterial plaque disease.

The Bogalusa heart Study demonstrated that the higher the blood levels of cholesterol (LDL and VLDL), the more likely it was to have fatty streaks in the coronary arteries and aortas of these children and young adults.

The message here is that fatty streaks are present in the young. Lowering cholesterol intake and maintaining normal cholesterol levels may prevent the deposition of cholesterol in the coronary arteries, peripheral arteries, carotid arteries and great arteries of the heart. This will prevent the untoward sequelae of atherosclerosis on our cardiovascular health.

Reference:
Bogalusa heart Study, Excerpt from the book: Everything Is Bad For Your Heart: The A to Z Guide, Karamanoukian HL and Aoukar P. Magalhaes Scientific Press

Date of Article Publication:
In press

Web Site: http://www.diagnosisheart.com